Abstract
ABSTRACT This study examines stereotypes of female librarians depicted in twenty-seven English-language short stories published since 1900. Two recurring character types are identified: the “Old Maid” - an elderly, celibate woman; and the “Ingenue” - a young woman whose library career invariably conflicts with her romantic interests. While at first these stereotypes seem like polar opposites, they can alternatively be interpreted as expressions of a single image across a span of years; that is, the “Old Maid” is an “Ingenue” who put her career ahead of her love life. Implications of this enduring stereotype are discussed in terms of recent initiatives within the profession to improve its popular image.
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